Readability Score Checker — Test How Easy Your Text Is to Read
Free online readability checker that calculates six readability scores simultaneously: Flesch Reading Ease, Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level, Gunning Fog Index, SMOG Index, Coleman-Liau Index, and Automated Readability Index. Shows grade level, reading time estimates, vocabulary diversity, top keywords, and specific improvement suggestions. Results appear automatically as you type.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a readability score?
A readability score measures how easy a piece of text is to read and understand. Most formulas analyze sentence length and word complexity (syllable count or character count) to estimate the US grade level a reader needs to comfortably understand the text. A lower grade level means the text is accessible to more people.
What is the Flesch Reading Ease score?
Flesch Reading Ease is a 0–100 scale where higher scores mean easier reading. A score of 60–70 is considered standard and suitable for the general adult public. Scores above 80 are very easy (5th–6th grade), scores below 30 are very difficult (professional/academic). Most blog posts and news articles target 60–70.
What Flesch Reading Ease score should I aim for?
For general web content and blog posts, aim for 60–70 (standard). For marketing copy and social media, aim for 70–80 (fairly easy). For educational content for children, aim above 80. Academic papers and legal documents often score 20–40, but for maximum audience reach, keep it above 60.
What is the difference between Flesch-Kincaid and Gunning Fog?
Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level and Gunning Fog both estimate the US grade level required to understand text, but use different formulas. Flesch-Kincaid uses average sentence length and average syllables per word. Gunning Fog counts "complex words" (3+ syllables) explicitly. Fog tends to give higher (harder) scores for technical writing.
How do I improve my readability score?
The most effective improvements are: (1) Shorten sentences — aim for 15–20 words per sentence. (2) Use simpler words — prefer "use" over "utilize", "start" over "initiate". (3) Break up long paragraphs. (4) Use active voice instead of passive. (5) Replace complex multi-syllable words with shorter alternatives where possible.
Is my text sent to a server for analysis?
No. All readability calculations happen entirely in your browser using JavaScript. Your text is never uploaded, stored, or processed on any server. The tool works completely offline once the page has loaded.